How we made a difference in Long Term Care
In the last 10 years, thousands of people who provide long term care including adult foster care providers and nursing home workers have united with SEIU Local 503 to improve the long term care system. This is the success story of how working together has improved nursing home care in Oregon.
United for Quality Care is an alliance of Oregon’s nursing home workers, SEIU Local 503, and the state’s most responsible nursing home companies. We work together so Oregonians can enjoy excellent, accessible, and affordable care in a positive environment.
United for Quality Care is dedicated to winning improvements for nursing home residents and employees in their own facilities and throughout the state. In this way, United for Quality Care allows the people who do the work and see to the needs of residents to make continued improvements in staffing, training, wages, and benefits.
SEIU Local 503 represents workers at 26 nursing homes across the state and has a track record of winning improved funding and staffing for facilities and better wages and benefits for nursing home workers. SEIU members negotiate contracts with their employers to spell out improvements in wages, benefits, and working conditions, and have successfully lobbied the state government to improve funding and staffing in Oregon nursing homes.
Nursing homes in Oregon receive as much as 80% of their funding from the state and federal governments. By combining efforts, we have won improved nursing home staffing and more realistic reimbursement rates.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) staffing ratios in Oregon nursing homes are now among the best in the nation, improving the quality of care that residents receive.
“The overall care for the residents is better now that we actually have the time to do the things we are supposed to do. We are able to get things done and get them done right.”
—Bradley Elmer, CNA, Pinnacle Lincoln City
“Because of the new staffing ratios, we have more time to spend with each resident. We can take the time to talk to them if they are feeling afraid or lonely.”
—Judy Aronhalt, CNA, Pinnacle Lincoln City
“Before the staffing changes that the alliance has made possible, I’d rush from one patient to the next and I could not give people the time and care they needed. The job has become much more rewarding for me and my patients.”
—Laura Blosser, CNA, Menlo Park Health Care, Portland
